No, the story behind that nightmarish crimson rictus actually began with a silent German Expressionist film called The Man ... named Gwynplaine (played by Conrad Veidt), whose father is sentenced ...

Joker director Todd Phillips was unknowingly inspired by the very actor and film that inspired the comic book Joker's look -- Conrad Veidt in The Man Who Laughs -- for his new box office smash.

Conrad Veidt's appearance is also famed as ... they agreed his exaggerated smile was influenced by this photograph of Veidt from the film. The Joker is not in public domain… though he will ...

Hans Walter Conrad Veidt (22 January ... created in 1940 by Bill Finger. Veidt also starred in other silent horror films such as The Hands of Orlac (1924), another film directed by Robert Wiene ...